Windy Ridge to Pine Valley
Pine Valley is not officially part of the Overland Track. It is a part of the region off the Track, in a deep valley, surrounded by mountains and plateaus. From Windy Ridge, the downhill trip will take about 8.9kms to walk (estimated time 3 hours).
It is an area which is popular as a weekend location for locals and has numerous other walks to explore from it.
Expect to see beautiful forest, more moss covered surrounds and during the week, a lot quieter experience than other places on the Track (due to it not being part of the Track - as most have now walked from Windy Ridge to Narcissus Hut).
Like all stops on the Overland Track, there are side trips to enjoy including a walk to The Acropolis (6.4km, 4 hours return) - a summit of 1471m and also Labyrinth Lookout (6km , 4.5 hrs return).
It is an area which is popular as a weekend location for locals and has numerous other walks to explore from it.
Expect to see beautiful forest, more moss covered surrounds and during the week, a lot quieter experience than other places on the Track (due to it not being part of the Track - as most have now walked from Windy Ridge to Narcissus Hut).
Like all stops on the Overland Track, there are side trips to enjoy including a walk to The Acropolis (6.4km, 4 hours return) - a summit of 1471m and also Labyrinth Lookout (6km , 4.5 hrs return).
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Accommodation at Pine Valley
There is a hut at Pine Valley which was very quiet during the week, though I believe it gets busier at weekends. There are no tent platforms but plenty of spots to pitch a tent.
I did sleep in the Hut this night as it was peaceful and empty, but note, it has a mouse problem, so you need to string your food up high so they can't get to it! One industrious mouse chewed through a backpack, to get to an empty plastic bag, that had once held food. So be warned. There is string up high, where you hang your food from. Plus possum attacks as well in this area for those who are in tents!
You can see from the Hut photos below, that there is no segregation between dining and sleeping. All huts have either gas or coal heaters.
I did sleep in the Hut this night as it was peaceful and empty, but note, it has a mouse problem, so you need to string your food up high so they can't get to it! One industrious mouse chewed through a backpack, to get to an empty plastic bag, that had once held food. So be warned. There is string up high, where you hang your food from. Plus possum attacks as well in this area for those who are in tents!
You can see from the Hut photos below, that there is no segregation between dining and sleeping. All huts have either gas or coal heaters.
Inside Pine Valley Hut
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Bunks at Pine Valley
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Lake at The Labyrinth
A side trip to the Acropolis is a very steep climb to the plateau through the forest, but gives amazing views if you can do it. At 6.4km walk, with a 640m climb, this walk will provide a challenge.
The views of cliffs and peaks in all directions from the summit will also provide you with a look at a high plateau and number of lakes known as the Labrinyth. You can see Mt Olympus standing above the pristine waters of Lake St Clair and and the east face of Mt Geryon.
Pine Valley
Views from Acropolis, Overland Track